"
Very tenderly, Mortlake raised her hand to his lips and kissed it. Then he
drew himself erect.
"What do you want to do with me?" he said defiantly. "I've confessed
everything. Why don't you call the police?"
"Because we want you to have a chance to be a better man," said Mr. Bell.
"The past is over and done with. The future lies before you. You can make
it what you will--bad or good, we shall not interfere with you."
Mortlake looked at them unsteadily. Then his voice broke and he stepped
quickly toward Budd. The recluse of Lost Brig Island extended his lean
palm and met the other's outstretched hand half way.
"I bear no grudge, Mortlake," he said. "You will always be welcome at our
home--Regina's and mine."
"Oh, yes--always," cried the girl, with a catch in her voice.
"Thank you," said Mortlake simply. "I don't--I don't dare trust myself to,
speak now; to-morrow, perhaps----"
He strode abruptly through the door and was gone.
Old Mr. Harding arose to his feet.
"After this affecting tableau, is there anything you wish to say to me,
hey?" he grated out.
"Nothing, sir," said Mr. Bell, turning his back upon the wizened old
financier. "I have seen to it that the money taken from them has been
returned to the Galloways."
"Then, I'll bid you good-night, too, since you seem to have taken
possession of these rooms.
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